Forerunners of the Reformation

John Wycliffe
In the 14th Century a young man was enrolled at the University of Oxford, of whom his teachers had great expectations. John Wycliffe, for such was his name, had a brilliant mind, undaunted courage, and a silver tongue. He also developed great skill with the pen. The date of his birth and the precise spot where it took place are not known, but in all probability it was during the period 1320-24, and in or near the village of Old Richmond in Yorkshire. He would doubtless be about 16 years old when he went to Oxford.. He remained in association with the University for the rest of his life, becoming a Fellow, and then in 1361 the Master of Balliol College. He became a Doctor of Theology there also.
The greatest of all the works of accomplished by Wycliffe was to translate the Bible into English, so that all who were able to read, or listen to the Word when read, could learn the truth of God.

Of the Book that had been the sealed-up Book

He tore the clasps, that the nation

With eyes unbandaged might look thereon

And therein find salvation.

William MacDonald observed, “It is wonderful indeed to think of the mystery of life that is hidden in every tiny seed. We may dissect the seed and study it under the microscope, but the secret of the life principle remains an unfathomable mystery. All we know is that the seed falls into the ground and from that unlikely beginning there springs forth life from the dead.”

It is needful that the believer understands the power of God unleashed in raising the dead up. He will seek to enlighten the believers concerning the resurrection of the dead at the rapture. This is a great mystery that he will unravel to show how the dead in Christ is but asleep and will be awakened when God will reconstruct for the dead in Christ a glorified body. Mind boggling truth!

Hymns: RHC 403 Count Your Blessings, 309 Thank You, Lord, 445 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee

Psalm 103 (KJV)

1 A Psalm of David Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Forerunners of the Reformation

– The Waldenses

Early in the 12th century there lived in Lyons, a city in the Rhone Valley in France, a wealthy merchant named Peter Waldo. In or about 1170 he employed a priest to translate from Latin into French the Four Gospels together with certain other books of Scriptures. By the grace of God he saw the truths of God’s Word and wanted to practise them. He began to realize that the Scripture alone are to be the basis of faith, and not the word of any human being, be he priest or bishop or pope. He learned that there is but one Mediator, that saints should not be worshipped, and that two sacraments and two only – baptism and the Lord’s Supper – were instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ.